5 Common Creativity Killers + How to Overcome Them

You can probably relate to one of the five “creativity killers” outlined in this blog post. Maybe they’ve discouraged you in the past, but you can use the tips in the post to stave them off in the future!

I’m sure that you’ve found yourself in a situation where you’re working on an exciting creative project, and then one of the five creativity killers below strikes. From discouraging words to unexpected problems to a hectic schedule, there are lots of things that can throw off your creative equilibrium. If you can relate, read on!

1. Discouraging Words

Most people — myself included — are eager to please, and when it’s clear that someone isn’t happy with your work, it can be vastly disappointing. Due to the public nature of this blog, I have, of course, seen my share of discouraging words! For example, someone once accidentally responded to a blog post email of mine — a mail art tutorial, I think — when she actually meant to forward it to a friend. In the email, she wrote something like, “Her calligraphy isn’t up to our standards, but sometimes she has some okay ideas like this tutorial.”

Everyone sees things differently! To some, this calligraphy may look impressive. To others, it doesn’t look so great!

That remark is a very small example compared to other discouraging words that I have heard of. For example, my friend Noel, who is a graphic designer, lives and breathes art. You can imagine how hurt she was, then, when a high school art teacher told her she would never succeed in a creative field. He flat-out told said that she had no future in art or design … and yet, last year she won an American Advertising Federation Silver ADDY for illustration series and direct mail marketing design. She is also the president of AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Arts) in Colorado Springs.

Here are some pieces from Noel’s Instagram feed. In her adult life, she’s embraced her creativity, using art in her profession and as a hobby.

How to Overcome Discouraging Words:

I have to share with you the most amazing quote that I’ve ever heard. At university, I had a friend named Titi (say: “Tee Tee”). One day, she told me about a disagreement she’d had with someone. She ended the story with this gem: “And you know, Lindsey, that’s when I realized: you just can’t be everyone’s cup of Titi.”

My friend Pam made this pendant necklace for me — I love it because it reminds me of Titi’s spot-on philosophy!

There are so many people in the world with so many different tastes! You can’t please everyone, and it is of utmost importance to remember that, regardless of who it is you haven’t pleased. So, next time anyone says something discouraging about a project or a skill of yours, remember: “You just can’t be everyone’s cup of Titi.”

2. Projects That Don’t Turn Out As You’d Hoped

We hold ourselves to very high standards, so when projects don’t turn out magazine-worthy, it’s easy to get frustrated. You might think, “You know what, I’m just not good at this,” and give up. Before you throw in the towel, though, remember that no one churns out perfect work all the time. I, personally, have created many ink-spattered, juvenile-looking projects with strange color schemes. Those projects never kept me from picking up a writing utensil or paintbrush the next day!

Every project that doesn’t end up being perfect serves as a building block for your creative skills. This is a faux calligraphy piece of mine from 2012. After I finished, I realized it looked less professional than I had hoped, so I started over.

How to Overcome Botched Projects:

First of all, remember that a less-than-awesome project doesn’t define you as a creator. No matter how good someone is at something, there will always be off days! Then, pick up your supplies and try again. Every botched project is a gift, after all: it shows you what not to do! So, when you go to make the project the second time around, implement what you learned during your first attempt. If you’re new to the techniques used for the project you messed up on, remember that everyone starts somewhere. If your results don’t look as polished as the ones you’ve seen on social media, don’t worry about it. If you keep working at the proper techniques, you’ll get there!

3. Not Having Specific Supplies

Not having the funds or the geographic location to get your hands on certain supplies can be very discouraging. Still, you can’t let that keep you from pursuing projects or skills that you think you might enjoy.

How to Overcome Not Having Specific Supplies:

We are actually at our most creative when we have to improvise. You can always find a workaround to get ideal results, and you will probably create a project variation that you like better than the original! For example, if you want to create brush pen calligraphy but you don’t have brush pens, you can use regular broad-tipped markers. No dip pen? Make faux calligraphy. From using crayons to make wax seals to DIYing your own envelope liners with scrap paper, there’s almost always a workaround!

4. Unexpected Problems

No matter what kind of project you choose to take on, there are always things that can go wrong. From paint spills to calligraphy misspellings to bleeding ink, there are lots of variables that can sabotage a project.

How to Overcome Unexpected Problems:

Immediately after the project sabotage occurs, you’ll probably feel a lot of frustration. It’s maddening to spend time and effort on something, only to have it be ruined by an external force like spilled ink! First, I’d take some time to cool off if you can. Try to get at least a few hours of distance from the project. Then, see if there’s a way to fix the project. If there isn’t, take a deep breath and start re-doing it. The key to dealing with unexpected problems is patience and perseverance!

5. A Hectic Schedule

Lack of time is perhaps the strongest creativity killer. If you’ve got a lot on your plate, painting a masterpiece or writing long lines of calligraphy probably doesn’t sound so appealing.

A time crunch can leave you feeling uninspired. If you’re busy, pushing yourself to be creative may lead to stress. Be sure to take it easy and tackle projects when you feel like it!

How to Overcome a Hectic Schedule:

If you’re feeling stressed, doing something creative can help you to relax! Rather than add stress to your day, the project should take away stress. With that in mind, I’d recommend creating short projects that require a modest amount of time and energy. The short projects could add up to something bigger — like working in a sketchbook journal — or they could be a one-time thing, like a quick piece of envelope art. Don’t put pressure on yourself to do something creative every day. When creativity becomes something that exhausts rather than rejuvenates you, that’s a problem! Just take it easy, and fit in projects whenever you can and want to.

This post had to be a little vague by nature because “creativity” means different things to different people. The point of writing it, however, is to let you know that everyone deals with roadblocks! If you have any tips, input, or questions, I’d love to hear from you in the comments. What was the latest creativity killer that you encountered, and how did you deal with it?

Hi Carl! I haven’t used fountain pens much, really. I occasionally use them to write letters (as in: correspondence), but that’s it! I prefer dip pens … they’re more in line with my budget. 🙂 There are some vintage fountain pens I’ve seen that are just gorgeous and seem to have a lot of flex, but they’re also hundreds of dollars!

This was extremely encouraging! Sometimes I find myself comparing my skill level to others and forgetting how far I have come. Thanks for reminding me that not everyone is going to love your work! BUT that doesn’t mean it’s not beautiful.

This is a helpful post. I can relate to all these issues. Most of my discouraging words came from myself, though. I got the impression during art classes at school that I wasn’t a “creative person” and would never be good at art. It wasn’t till I was an adult that I discovered that I was after all. Now I enjoy crochet, cardmaking, sewing, and I am dabbling in drawing/painting and hand lettering. One day when I don’t have a toddler I will learn calligraphy! For the moment, as a busy homeschooling mama, I either snatch creative sessions in small bursts like nap time or my Mummy’s Sunday Afternoon Craft Time, or I add it into our homeschooling time. We are starting nature journaling and I have made cardmaking kits for my kids – they love sitting down and doing it together! I don’t want them growing up thinking that they are not a “creative person”.

I am not a calligraphy artist. However, I take great joy in making an envelope be special. I just finished a pile of Thanksgiving cards and misspelled hurray. There was no fix and they were on brown paper. I tried painting them out, but they were still wrong. Guess what, I sent them anyway. I figure you’d rather get a card with a funny misspelling and a blotch than not get a card at all.

My hubby looked over my shoulder and said, “Hey, it’s not Hallmark. You actually took the time to make something homemade and it looks fun.”

This may sound strange but my biggest discouragement is that I have no one to give or sell my projects to. I don’t have a big accumulation of art I’ve made over the years because I either made them as gifts, at a person’s request or sold them at craft shows. I’ve always been very good with embroidery, crochet, and drawing, painting and calligraphy. I used to give many items to my parents or relatives. I also worked, and was able to sell items through work or my mother sold them.
Well, my parents are gone now, and due to my health challenges, no longer work and rarely drive. I sometimes make things, and they just end up in a drawer, or I buy the supplies and never finish it. It seems pointless. I haven’t gotten the hang of online selling, and my family just considers it a waste of time and money. Ex: i was heading out to buy yarn, and my husband said it was ” to spend money making another blanket no one wants”. Needless to say, I never bought the yarn, lol. Haven’t yet found a way to motivate myself.

How difficult! I am sure there would be people who would love to be blessed by your work! Have you tried looking for charities in your local community? There might be one who would gladly sell blankets if they could have the profits.

Sorry to hear you’re discouraged! Have you thought of participating in the “More Love Letters” project? They post requests for encouraging letters to people all over the world who need some love. I’m sure they would appreciate your art!

You know … I am not sure if you are a snail mail person or not, but More Love Letters could definitely benefit from your creativity! And if you ever need anyone to send a blanket to, I’m your girl. 😉 I think handmade blankets are *so* cool!!

You caught my attention. *hugs* I’ve been so busy with my family, volunteer rolls and my part-time position that I need to make time for calligraphy and my crafts. After reading your post, it got my attention because I too have a lot of projects that are done or aren’t done and I used to give them to friends and even sell. I’m hoping to get back to selling but like you said selling online is difficult. Here are some organizations that would love your talents!

I am sure most people will find this particular Blog very helpful and practical, and I sure do too. Thank you, Lindsey, because you are able to put yourself into “our shoes”. I always look forward to receiving what you send.

Hey, I’m in those shoes with you! 🙂 I know what it feels like to start learning something and encounter resistance (or a seeming ineptitude). I was really discouraged when I started learning calligraphy, but now I’m glad that I kept working at it!

You write such apposite posts – thank you. They are always interesting and thoughtful – as well as sharing huge amounts of info of course! The reminder that we are not everyone’s cup of “Titi” is very timely for me and nothing hurts like a comment you were perhaps never meant to see/hear. But, we all get them – rising above it and improving our skills is the best answer. Thanks again. Jane

You are right — we all get them! Often, searing words are said in confidence and without truly meaning them. I think that’s another important thing to remember! I love your quote: “Rising above it and improving our skills is the best answer.” Absolutely!

I had the great opportunity to attend one of Lindsey’s classes. My discouragement came from watching her effortlessly pick up a pen and make anything gorgeous- even squiggle lines! I am not an artist and the lettering will never come easily. That being said, I have to remember that people become experts because they work every second to improve. Lindsey’s Rumi quote example gives me hope. But only work will create my talent. I’d love to find more lettering/calligraphy beginners to gather with in Colorado Springs/Pikes Peak Region to practice. Any takers?

Oh no! I hate to hear that — because not everything I produce is gorgeous, that I promise you! I should start keeping some of the “duds” and post them on social media to represent real life a little bit better. 🙂 As far as meeting up with beginners, you might contact my friend Noel, who I referenced in this post. As president of the Colorado Springs branch of AIGA, she can probably connect you with people who would be interested in getting together and lettering, or she can organize some sort of event! She’s in Botswana right now, but will be back in a couple of weeks. You can find her contact info here!

I am a watercolor journaling teacher and have struggled with how to give advice to my students about what they can improve in their artwork.
I don’t want to discourage anyone with criticism. The strategy I have developed for pointing out problems is to point out a skill that needs to be worked on and can be improved.

My art teacher used to say, “Let’s go to the drawing board” (which was an easel). I’d put whatever piece I was working on up on the easel, and we’d both stare at it for a while until she’d comment, “It looks like you need a little more contrast … don’t you think?” or “Maybe adding a little more color would be good?” Her gentle suggestions always struck me as astute and kind; never condescending. It sounds like you operate the same way, which I love to hear! Go, Barbara!